Portable Loudspeaker System

Abstract

The loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top and bottom walls and between the front and rear walls. A first transducer is attached to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis has a first end adjacent to the bottom wall and an opposite second end adjacent to the top wall such that the major axis is positioned perpendicular to the ground when the subwoofer is placed on the bottom wall. The top wall has a handle so that the loudspeaker can be transported with the major axis positioned perpendicular to the ground.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 039,183, filed June 15, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present disclosure relates to a portable loudspeaker system. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] All embodiments and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0004] In one aspect, a loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and between the front wall and the rear wall. A first electroacoustic transducer is mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first electroacoustic transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis is longer than the minor axis. The major axis has a first end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite second end proximate the top wall such that when the subwoofer is placed on the bottom wall, the major axis is disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker may be transported with the major axis disposed perpendicular to the ground.

[0005] Implementations may include one or any combination of the following features.

[0006] In some implementations, the sidewall is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first electroacoustic transducer.

[0007] In certain implementations, the loudspeaker system includes an amplifier disposed within the acoustic cavity and one or more bass reflex ports extending through one or more of the walls, The one or more bass reflex ports may be positioned to facilitate cooling airflow over the amplifier.

[0008] In some cases, the back wall includes an I / O panel and the subwoofer includes an amplifier disposed within the acoustic cavity. The amplifier may be mounted to the I / O panel such that heat dissipated from the amplifier can be transferred through the I / O panel via conduction.

[0009] In certain cases, the amplifier has a power output of between 400 watts and 1000 watts.

[0010] In some embodiments, the subwoofer is disposed within the acoustic cavity and includes a mixing console mounted to an I / O panel.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the major axis is between about 1.30 and about 1.50 times longer than the minor axis, for example, the major axis may be between 1.38 and 1.42 times longer than the minor axis.

[0012] In some implementations, the subwoofer provides a sound pressure level (SPL) output of about 110 dB to about 130 dB at 1000 watts or less.

[0013] In certain implementations, the subwoofer has a total package volume of 120 liters or less, for example, the subwoofer may have a total package volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters.

[0014] In some cases, the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of 60 liters or less, for example, the acoustic cavity can have an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters.

[0015] In certain cases, the loudspeaker system may include a line array assembly including a plurality of second electroacoustic transducers. The subwoofer may include a receptacle for receiving the line array assembly. The receptacle may include a first electrical connector, and the line array assembly includes a second electrical connector configured to mate with the first electrical connector to power the line array assembly through the subwoofer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second electroacoustic transducer is a mid / high frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of about 200 Hz to about 18 kHz.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the diaphragm is oval, elliptical, or racetrack shaped.

[0018] In some implementations, the first electroacoustic transducer is a low frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz.

[0019] In certain implementations, the first electroacoustic transducer has a suspension compliance of about 0.06 mm / N to about 0.12 mm / N, a maximum linear deflection of about 6.00 mm to about 9.50 mm, an effective cone diameter of about 22.00 cm to about 32.00 cm, an effective piston area of ​​about 410.00 cm^2 to about 762.00 cm^2, and a maximum SPL of about 110 dB to about 130 dB.

[0020] In some cases, the diaphragm includes integral ribs to increase stiffness.

[0021] In certain cases, the housing has an aspect ratio of about 1.7 to about 2.2. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loudspeaker system shown from the front, top, and left side. [Figure 1B]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the loudspeaker system of FIG. 1A shown from the back, top, and left side. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the subwoofer from the loudspeaker system of FIG. 1A shown from the front, top, and right side without the grill. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the subwoofer of FIG. 2A shown from the back, top, and left side. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is a front view of the subwoofer of FIG. 2A, shown without the grill. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the subwoofer of FIG. 2A. [Figure 4] 2B is a perspective view of the subwoofer of FIG. 2A shown from the front, top, and right side with the grill. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the line array assembly from the loudspeaker system of FIG. 1A shown from the front, top, and right side without the grill. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the line array assembly of FIG. 5A shown from the back, top, and right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of the line array assembly of FIG. 5A. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the loudspeaker system of FIG. 1A shown from the front, top, and left side without the extension member. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of the loudspeaker system of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 is a front view of an alternative loudspeaker system including a stand-alone subwoofer and a line array. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a rear view of the loudspeaker system of FIG. 8A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present disclosure is based on the recognition that it may be desirable to incorporate an elongated transducer into a portable subwoofer to enable a slimmer subwoofer design to place the center of mass of the subwoofer closer to the user's body during transport.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary loudspeaker system 100. The loudspeaker system 100 includes a subwoofer 102 and a line array assembly 104. With reference to FIGS. 2A-3, the subwoofer 102 includes a housing 200 (also known as a "subwoofer housing") that supports an electroacoustic transducer 202 and a bass reflex port 204. The housing 200 includes a number of walls (collectively "206") that define an acoustic cavity 208 (FIG. 3). The number of walls 206 include a top wall 206a, a bottom wall 206b, left and right side walls 206c and 206d, a front wall 206e, and a rear wall 206f. The electroacoustic transducer 202 and the bass reflex port 204 are supported by the front wall. The top wall 206a supports a handle 210 for transporting the subwoofer 102. The rear wall 206f includes an input / output (I / O) panel 212 with an integral mixer user interface (UI) 214 (FIG. 2B). In some cases, the subwoofer 102 has an operating frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz, e.g., about 35 Hz to about 200 Hz, e.g., about 40 Hz to about 200 Hz.

[0025] The electroacoustic transducer 202 can be any known type of electroacoustic transducer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the electroacoustic transducer 202 can include an electric motor 216, a diaphragm 218 (FIG. 2C), and a suspension 220. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2C, the diaphragm 218 has an elongated shape, such as an ellipse, an oval, or a racetrack shape (with rounded ends extending between parallel sides, also known as a "stadium"). The diaphragm 218 has a major axis 222 and a minor axis 224. The major axis 222 has a first end 226 adjacent the bottom wall 206b and an opposite second end 228 adjacent the top wall 206a such that the major axis 222 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground during normal use (i.e., the subwoofer 102 is placed on its bottom wall 206b). The minor axis 224 is disposed perpendicular to the major axis 222 and has a first end 230 adjacent the left side wall 206c and an opposite second end 232 adjacent the right side wall 206d. The electroacoustic transducer 202 includes an axis of motion 234 that is perpendicular to the major axis 222 and the minor axis 224. The axis of motion 234 passes through the intersection of the major axis 222 and the minor axis 224.

[0026] The diaphragm 218 is also positioned such that when the subwoofer 102 is transported (i.e., lifted and carried by its handle 210 (FIGS. 2A and 2B)), its long axis 222 (FIG. 2C) is oriented vertically, thus placing the center of mass of the subwoofer 102 closer to the user's body (compared to a design with a circular diaphragm of comparable surface area). The advantage of this configuration is that it allows for a thinner subwoofer 102, which is easier to transport since its center of mass can be placed closer to the user / carrier's body when carried by its handle. The elongated diaphragm 218 provides a higher front baffle density for the same output, compared to a circular diaphragm with comparable radiating surface area. The elongated diaphragm 218 also uses the front baffle space more efficiently, compared to an arrangement with multiple smaller transducers collectively having comparable radiating surface area.

[0027] The diaphragm 218 has a width of about 7 inches to about 10 inches, and a height of about 13 inches to about 18 inches. The diaphragm has an aspect ratio of about 1.38 to about 1.42, in which the major axis is about 1.38 times to about 1.42 times longer than the minor axis. The diaphragm 218 may be formed of paper pulp, preferably paper pulp. As shown in Figures 2A and 2C, the diaphragm 218 may be formed with ribs 236 to add rigidity.

[0028] The suspension 220 includes an enclosure 238 and a spider (not shown). The enclosure 238 connects the outer periphery of the diaphragm 218 to a structural member (basket 240 (FIG. 3), e.g., a steel basket) that supports the electric motor 216 (e.g., a Y35 ferrite motor). The enclosure 238 is formed of a tear-resistant, compliant material, such as polyurethane foam.

[0029] The electroacoustic transducer 202 has a suspension compliance of about 0.06 mm / N to about 0.12 mm / N, a maximum linear deflection of about 6.00 mm to about 9.50 mm, e.g., 6.90 mm to 9.25 mm, an effective cone diameter of about 22.00 cm to about 32.00 cm, e.g., 22.90 cm to 31.13 cm, an effective piston area of ​​about 410.00 cm^2 to about 762.00 cm^2, e.g., 411.87 cm^2 to 761.10 cm^2, and a maximum SPL of about 110 dB to about 130 dB, e.g., 115 dB to 125 dB.

[0030] The subwoofer 102 includes electronic components for processing audio signals received via connectors 242a, 242b (FIG. 2B) and for driving the electroacoustic transducer 202. Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic components include a mixing console 244 and an amplifier 246 (also known as an "audio amplifier"), both disposed within the acoustic cavity 208 and supported on an I / O panel 212 on the rear wall 206f of the housing 200. The mixing console 244 receives audio input via connectors 242a, 242b and also receives user input via a mixer UI 214 (FIG. 2B).

[0031] The amplifier 246 has a power output of between 400 watts and 1000 watts. The amplifier 246 is mounted to the I / O panel 212 such that heat dissipated from the amplifier 246 can be transferred through the I / O panel 212 via conduction. The heat can then be transferred from the exterior surface of the I / O panel 212 to the surrounding environment via natural convection. To help facilitate conductive heat transfer, the fabricated I / O panel is formed of a material with high thermal conductivity, e.g., a material with a thermal conductivity greater than 100 W / mK, such as a metal, e.g., aluminum or steel. The bass reflex port 204 can be configured to facilitate convective airflow across the amplifier 246 within the acoustic cavity 208 for additional cooling of the amplifier 246.

[0032] The amplifier 246 is configured to power the electroacoustic transducer 202 of the subwoofer 102 as well as the line array assembly 104. In that regard, the housing 200 includes a receptacle 248 ( FIG. 2A ) for receiving a bottom end of the line array assembly 104. An electrical connector 250 is disposed within the receptacle 248. The electrical connector 250 is configured to engage a mating connector 500 ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ) on the line array assembly 104 to deliver power from the amplifier 246 to the line array assembly 104. In some implementations, the amplifier 246 provides about 250 watts to about 1000 watts, e.g., 300 watts to 1000 watts, to the subwoofer 102 and about 50 watts to about 300 watts, e.g., 60 watts to 250 watts, to the line array assembly 104.

[0033] The housing 200 has a height (h) (FIG. 2C) of about 550 mm to about 695 mm, e.g., 552.8 mm to 693.8 mm, a width (w) (FIG. 2C) of about 310 mm to about 320 mm, e.g., 315.9 mm to 316.8 mm, and a depth (d) (FIG. 3) of about 450 mm to about 550 mm, e.g., 454.8 mm to 545.9 mm. The subwoofer 102 has a total external volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters, e.g., 79.65 liters to 119.65 liters, and the acoustic cavity 208 has an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters, e.g., 39.4 liters to 53.4 liters.

[0034] 4, an acoustically transparent grille 400 (also known as a "subwoofer grill") covers the electroacoustic transducer 202 along the front side of the subwoofer 102. The grille 400 may be formed of a rigid material, such as metal, and may include a number of apertures to provide acoustic transparency. In some implementations, the grille 400 may be formed, e.g., embossed, with features or images that correspond to the elongated shape of the diaphragm 218.

[0035] 5A-6, the line array assembly 104 includes a line array 502 and an extension member 504 for supporting the line array 502. The line array 502 includes a first housing 506 (aka "line array housing") and the extension member 504 includes a second housing 508 (aka "extension member housing"). The first housing 506 and the second housing 508 may be formed, e.g., molded, from ABS. The first housing 506 defines an acoustic cavity 600 (FIG. 6) and also supports a plurality of electroacoustic transducers 510 (aka "mid / high frequency transducers") (eight shown). The plurality of electroacoustic transducers 510 are mid / high frequency transducers having an operating frequency range of about 200 Hz to about 18 kHz.

[0036] The electroacoustic transducers 510 are mounted in the first housing 506 such that a first radiating surface of each of the electroacoustic transducers 510 radiates acoustic energy outwardly from a first surface of the first housing 506 and a second radiating surface of each of the electroacoustic transducers 510 radiates acoustic energy into the acoustic cavity 600. Acoustic ports 512 (FIG. 5B) disposed along the underside of the first housing 506 acoustically couple the acoustic cavity 600 to the area surrounding the line array 502. The addition of ports to the enclosure tuned within the operating range can be used to reduce the useful frequency range of the transducers 510.

[0037] A first acoustically transparent grille 106 (FIG. 1A) covers a plurality of electroacoustic transducers 510 along the front side of the first housing 506. A second acoustically transparent grille 108 (FIG. 1B) covers the acoustic ports 502 along the back side of the first housing 506.

[0038] The second housing 508 is configured to be removably coupled to the first housing 506. With reference to FIG. 6, the second housing 508 carries a first electrical connector 602 along its top end. The first housing 506 carries a second mating electrical connector 604 along its bottom end. The second electrical connector 604 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic motors of each of the electroacoustic transducers 510 carried by the first housing 506. The first electrical connector 602 and the second electrical connector 604 provide a mechanical coupling between the two housings and also allow electrical energy to be delivered to the electroacoustic transducers 510 carried within the first housing 506.

[0039] A third electrical connector 606 (FIG. 6) is disposed at a bottom end of the second housing 508 to enable electrical connection between the line array assembly 104 and the subwoofer 102 via an electrical connector 250 (FIG. 2A) in the receptacle 248 of the subwoofer 102. The third electrical connector 606 is electrically connected to the first electrical connector 602 and passes electrical signals to the first housing 506 (i.e., via the second electrical connector 604).

[0040] The second electrical connector 604 and the third electrical connector 606 may be identical and allow for coupling the line array 502 to the subwoofer 102 with or without the extension member 504. For example, with reference to Figures 7A and 7B, the bottom end of the first housing 506 may be directly received within the receptacle 248 of the subwoofer 102, with an electrical connection being established via the second electrical connector 604 (Figure 7B) and the electrical connector 250 within the receptacle 248 of the subwoofer 102.

[0041] Other implementations Although a loudspeaker system has been described in which a line array assembly is supported by a subwoofer, in other implementations the loudspeaker system may include a subwoofer operating in conjunction with a stand-alone line array loudspeaker. For example, Figures 8A and 8B illustrate an example of a loudspeaker system 800 with a stand-alone subwoofer 802 and a line array loudspeaker 804 electrically coupled to each other via a cable connection 806. The subwoofer 802 may include one or more of the features of the subwoofer 102 described above, e.g., with respect to Figures 1-4, i.e., for example, a transducer having an elongated shape such that during normal use, its long axis is positioned substantially vertical to the ground (i.e., the subwoofer 802 is placed on its bottom wall), and a handle disposed along the top wall of the subwoofer 802 and positioned such that when the subwoofer 802 is lifted and carried by the handle, the long axis of the elongated transducer is oriented vertically, thereby placing the center of mass of the subwoofer 802 closer to the user's body (compared to a design with a circular diaphragm of comparable surface area).

[0042] Additional details regarding the standalone subwoofer 802 can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 790,356, filed February 13, 2020, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional details regarding the standalone line array loudspeaker 804 can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 669,682, filed October 31, 2019, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional details regarding the cable connection 806 between the subwoofer 802 and the line array loudspeaker 804 can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 456,348, filed June 28, 2019, now U.S. Patent No. 10,652,664, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] Although several implementations have been described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of various other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such modifications and / or variations can be considered within the scope of the implementations described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all of the parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary, and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications in which the teachings of the present invention are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific implementations described herein. Thus, it should be understood that the implementations described above have been presented by way of example only, and that within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof, implementations can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods is within the scope of the present disclosure, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

[0044] Although multiple implementations have been described, it is understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and thus, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 Loudspeaker System 102 Subwoofer 104 Line Array Assembly 106 First acoustically transparent grille 108 Second acoustically transparent grille 400 Acoustically Transparent Grille 500 Mating Connectors 502 Line Array 504 Extension member 506 First Housing 508 Second Housing 510 Electroacoustic Transducer

Claims

1. 1. A loudspeaker system comprising: A subwoofer, A housing comprising a plurality of walls that together define an acoustic cavity, the plurality of walls comprising: a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall opposite the top wall, and a plurality of side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and between the front wall and the rear wall; a first electroacoustic transducer mounted to the front wall of the housing; the first electroacoustic transducer comprises a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being longer than the minor axis, the major axis having a first end adjacent the bottom wall and an opposite second end adjacent the top wall such that the major axis is disposed substantially perpendicular to a ground when the subwoofer is placed on the bottom wall; the top wall includes a subwoofer having a handle so that the loudspeaker can be transported with the major axis aligned perpendicular to the ground; the subwoofer having a receptacle disposed in the top wall for receiving a line array assembly, the receptacle including a first electrical connector adapted to mate with a second electrical connector of the line array assembly and to supply power to the line array assembly via the subwoofer.

2. 2. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein said sidewalls are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first electroacoustic transducer.

3. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier disposed within said acoustic cavity and one or more bass reflex ports extending through one or more of said walls, said one or more bass reflex ports positioned to promote cooling air flow over said amplifier.

4. 2. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the back wall comprises an I / O panel, and the subwoofer comprises an amplifier disposed within the acoustic cavity, the amplifier mounted to the I / O panel such that heat dissipated from the amplifier can be transferred through the I / O panel via conduction.

5. 5. The loudspeaker system of claim 4, wherein the amplifier has a power output between 400 watts and 1000 watts.

6. 5. The loudspeaker system of claim 4, wherein the subwoofer is disposed within the acoustic cavity and includes a mixing console mounted to the I / O panel.

7. 2. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein said major axis is about 1.30 to about 1.50 times longer than said minor axis.

8. 8. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said major axis is between 1.38 and 1.42 times longer than said minor axis.

9. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the subwoofer provides a sound pressure level (SPL) output of about 110 dB to about 130 dB SPL at 1000 watts or less.

10. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 9, wherein the subwoofer has a total package volume of 120 liters or less.

11. 11. The loudspeaker system of claim 10, wherein the subwoofer has a total package volume of about 80 liters to about 120 liters.

12. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 9, wherein the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of 60 liters or less.

13. 13. The loudspeaker system of claim 12, wherein the acoustic cavity has an acoustic volume of about 30 liters to about 60 liters.

14. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, further comprising the line array assembly, the line array assembly comprising a plurality of second electroacoustic transducers.

15. 15. The loudspeaker system of claim 14, wherein the second electroacoustic transducer is a mid / high frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of about 200 Hz to about 18 kHz.

16. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is elliptical, oval, or racetrack shaped.

17. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the first electroacoustic transducer is a low frequency transducer having an operating frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 300 Hz.

18. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the first electroacoustic transducer has a suspension compliance of about 0.06 mm / N to about 0.12 mm / N, a maximum linear deflection of about 6.00 mm to about 9.50 mm, an effective cone diameter of about 22.00 cm to about 32.00 cm, an effective piston area of ​​about 410.00 cm^2 to about 762.00 cm^2, and a maximum SPL of about 110 dB to about 130 dB.

19. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm includes integral ribs for increased stiffness.

20. 10. The loudspeaker system of claim 1, wherein said housing has an aspect ratio of about 1.7 to about 2.2.

Images